Connecticut tourist railroads you must visit include a restored switch tower in Norwalk to a museum of nearly 100 vintage transit vehicles and everything in between in the Constitution State. Here’s our list of must-see tourist railroads, museums, and displays — for almost every region in Connecticut.
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association
The association features an operating 3-foot-gauge railroad powered by a 1925 Baldwin locomotive once used in the sugar cane fields of Hawaii. A variety of other locomotives and rolling stock fills out the collection. The site contains six other exhibits dedicated to antique industrial and agricultural machinery. It is open 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays, May through October, or by appointment.
Location: 31 Kent Cornwall Road, Kent
Phone: 860-927-0050
Website: ctamachinery.com
E-mail: Form on website
Connecticut Trolley Museum
Founded in 1940, this museum offers a narrated 3.2-mile, round-trip trolley ride. Its collection contains passenger and freight streetcars, interurban cars, elevated railway cars, service cars, and other rail equipment. A fire truck museum and motor coach museum are also on site. The museum is open from March/April through December with major events throughout the year.
Location: 58 North Road, East Windsor
Phone: 860-627-6540
Website: www.ct-trolley.org
E-mail: office@ct-trolley.org
Danbury Railway Museum
This museum contains about 70 pieces of equipment representing 13 different Northeastern railroads and includes unique pieces such as a New Haven Railroad Mack FCD railbus. Vintage train rides in the yard include a spin around an operating turntable. The 1903 station features a display and a model layout of the Danbury yard. It is open year-round but closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from September through May and on most holidays.
Location: 120 White Street, Danbury
Phone: 203-778-8337
Website: danburyrailwaymuseum.org
E-mail: info@danburyrail.org
Shore Line Trolley Museum
The museum features a collection of nearly 100 vintage transit vehicles. A 3-mile round-trip trolley ride takes you along the area’s scenic shore. Along the way, the trolley stops in the yard, where you can take a brief guided tour of the carbarn exhibits. You can also take a more comprehensive self-guided tour. The shop overlook allows you to view any restoration activities, and the station building contains additional exhibits. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with daily operations from June to September.
Location: 17 River Street, East Haven
Phone: 203-467-6927
Website: shorelinetrolley.org
E-mail: info@shorelinetrolley.org
SoNo Switch Tower Museum
This 1896 New Haven Railroad switch tower has been restored, complete with an original armstrong 68-lever mechanical interlocking machine. Located next to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor main line, the unique museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from May through October.
Location: 77 Washington Street, Norwalk
Phone: 203-246-6958
Website: westctnrhs.org
E-mail: info@westctnrhs.org
